Ex-partners reach deal on splitting £3m Lottery jackpot

A former couple battling in the courts over a £3 million National Lottery jackpot-win have agreed to settle their case.

High Court judge Mr Justice Kitchin adjourned the hearing until this afternoon when he is expected to approve the terms of the settlement.

Maureen Todd, 55, took 53-year-old Desmond Congdon to court after he ran out on her 15 months after winning the lottery.

Before the win in 2004, he had moved into her home in Melksham, Wiltshire and promised to marry her.

They signed an agreement that the win would be shared between them but she claimed he took most of the money on what she said was a worldwide gambling spree.

His string of 'extravagances' included visits to Epsom racecourse and to casinos around the world, the High Court in London was told.

He also spent £500,000 on a home in St Ives, Cornwall, splashed out £54,000 on a car with personalised number plates and a £25,000 motor boat.

In addition, Mr Congdon bought cars worth £24,000 for his two sons, paid the rent on his youngest son's home and gave his other son £18,000 as a home deposit.

Mr Congdon has gambled away, invested or made gifts of almost half the winnings and would have been left with only £250,000 if he had been forced to hand over half to his former love.

After discussions outside court today, Bernard Weatherill QC, representing Mrs Todd, told the judge: "The parties have been able to discuss terms to prevent the case from continuing.

"I am happy to be able to say that the discussions have been fruitful and terms have been agreed between the parties."

It was not known whether the terms will be made public when the judge calls the parties back to the court this afternoon.

It is nearly four years since the couple met in July 2003 through a lonely hearts column. A month after their first meeting Mr Congdon moved into Mrs Todd's home in Melksham, Wiltshire.

They opened a joint account, sharing expenses and planning to marry as soon as Mrs Todd could divorce.

In March 2004, Mr Congdon bought the winning ticket at a Tesco store in Southampton while the couple were shopping together.

Mrs Todd said she and her 80-year-old mother danced around the lounge when he scooped £2,966,491, adding: "It was always our money. We were going to retire and have a good lifestyle."

In May, they went to solicitors to sign a joint declaration over ownership of the ticket. They bought another house in the area, using £23,000 to pay off the mortgage and selling her home for £122,593 - which she kept, along with a new car.

But in June 2005, Mr Congdon broke off their engagement despite the couple spending £20,000 on their planned wedding. All he left his former partner was a 'parting gift' of £10,000.